Page 7 of Mrs. Gardiner: Matchmaker (The Pemberley Collection #3)

Darcy could have cursed Bingley for his poor timing. He had almost been about to profess the truth to Elizabeth, as unconventional it might have been there in the Lambton Inn, but his friend disrupted the moment.

No matter—maybe Darcy could find the moment tonight before dinner. He was amazed that Elizabeth alluded to his letter, subtly indicating she read it in its entirety. He had worried about that—he had felt that his letter was written in a burst of angry justification, and he was concerned that his words were harsh and unfeeling, that they did more damage than good when he wrote them. But it seemed that this was not so—Elizabeth expressed true remorse at her misunderstanding of his character.

He meant it, however, when he told her that she was honorable, regardless of how wrong her understanding of him might have been. She had refused him on the grounds of her principles—and her principles dictated that she only marry a man she could respect: one who treated people fairly, one who didn't resort to seedy, underhanded interfering in other peoples' relationships. It wasn't her fault she was lied to by Wickham, and it wasn't her fault she didn't realize his true motivations behind his persuading Bingley out of returning to Hertfordshire.

Darcy sighed as he stood in his chambers that evening. He was annoyed by Miss Bingley's continuous commentary on the unexpected arrival of "Miss Eliza Bennet" as she always called her. He made a face—something told him Elizabeth didn't really like being called Eliza, and he had a feeling Miss Bingley very well knew it. He disliked her derision and open disdain for Elizabeth and her family.

"Are these the aunt and uncle who live in Cheapside?" she had teased maliciously earlier, "Oh, why, Louisa and I met the aunt. Such an unfashionable kind of woman, but what else would you expect out of Cheapside?"

Darcy frowned and nearly told her off—frankly, the Gardiners were people of fashion, and he hadn't realized they were the aunt and uncle in trade until after he had been introduced—but then he thought better of it. There was no use in irritating Miss Bingley.

His valet finished dressing him, and he was soon venturing downstairs to await their guests, who would be arriving any minute. He fidgeted a little with his jacket, nervous to see Elizabeth again. Bingley eyed him with curiosity as they waited outside for signs of the Darcy carriage, which had been sent to pick up Elizabeth and her family.

"If mine eyes don't deceive me, Darcy," he said, "I would say you're nervous."

Darcy reddened but gave Bingley a look.

"I don't know what you mean."

"But I think you do. However, if you're so sensitive about it, I suppose I shouldn't pry."

Darcy shifted awkwardly, feeling Bingley's curious stare. Bingley, though, was never one to be quiet and not pry, so Darcy knew it was only a matter of time—

"Oh, I must know,” the man said with some impatience, “Is there something between you and Miss Elizabeth?"

Darcy pursed his lips, remaining silent. Bingley kept on.

"You two were speaking so intimately earlier, and your attention to her is quite marked, my friend. Surely, you would tell me if you had an attachment to her? I thought we were better friends than that..."

Darcy glanced at his friend, who was staring at him sharply, and then he sighed. He nodded a little, and Bingley smirked, waiting for him to speak. Darcy ignored his mocking look as he answered him.

"It's not so simple, but there is something between us."

"Explain it to me."

"I can't. The story is too complicated, and they'll be here any minute."

Bingley huffed. "Try. I am impatient to understand. How can you fancy Miss Elizabeth when you told me all those horrid things about Miss Bennet and her family and her poor connections? Wouldn't the same hold true for any of her other sisters? I am at a loss to understand why your situation is so different from mine—"

He cut off, because the carriage was arriving, and Darcy was thankful. He didn't want to have this conversation with Bingley. Not here, anyway. He glanced hesitantly at his friend, who looked irritable for a moment before putting on a friendly smile for their guests' sake, and then, to Darcy's displeasure, Bingley stepped forward and handed out Elizabeth!

Why, that—!

Bingley took Elizabeth's arm and walked her inside, leaving Darcy awkwardly in the lurch, and he waved the Gardiners ahead of him, trailing behind in the back.